Thunderbolt technology was one of the strengths of the new MacBook Pro/iMacs launched by Apple in the first part of this year. Using the new technology developed together with Intel, Apple gives users the possibility to stream video on 2 monitors and the possibility to copy files on up to 4 channels. The Thunderbolt chip in the MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac Mini is called Light Ridge and is capable of the aforementioned performances, but the chip in the MacBook Air is called Eagle Ridge and has only half the "strength" of its older brother.
Eagle Ridge is available in two form factors (normal and SFF) and is effectively half of a Light Ridge chip. That means you only get two Thunderbolt channels and one DP output. Apple used the small form factor version of Eagle Ridge in its new MacBook Air to cut costs and save on motherboard real estate.
The Thunderbolt chip in the MacBook Air is smaller and cheaper than those in the rest of the Macs, and in terms of performance, we are talking about the possibility of transferring data on only 2 channels and streaming video on only 1 monitor. Practically, the new chip in the MacBook Air has half the performance compared to the rest of the Macs, and the reason for its implementation is related to the reduced space inside the case. Probably few will be affected by this change since not many people use Thunderbolt technology, but Apple should have announced the change along with the details of the new products.
